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Monday, May 31, 2010

How many times have you sprung out of bed at 4am, happy to be awake? That's how I felt Saturday morning all because of this young man....

Countrymouse and I, along with two of the other pups, got up before the sun and drove 90 minutes to BWI airport to pick up our very own Private First Class.

Pup #2 is home on leave for 2 weeks from the US Army before deploying to Iraq. We've missed him so much. It's been a very tumultuous year for my family and all of our hearts ache to be with those who are still here... like being with someone you love will somehow reinforce their place in your heart and in your life.

Matt's deployment will be at least for 12 months and most likely will stretch to 15 or 18 months. I still can't begin to imagine not seeing one of my children for that length of time. (We last saw him in November and that feels like a life time ago.) We are very proud of his commitment to serve his country. Matt could have chosen any number of career pathways in the Army, but he went in knowing that he wanted to be in the Infantry... to be a warrior... the person who really does fight for our freedoms and way of life. At 19 years of age, he already has more courage than I have. He awes me.

The fact that this is Memorial Day weekend is not lost on me. Today we honor our fallen heroes... those men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for each and every one of us. I don't think there are words enough to describe the debt we as a nation owe these people and their families. I pray every day that my family never joins this group.

The wonderful Bossy Betty shared the following quote this morning. I loved it so much, I wanted to post it myself.

I have never been able to think of the day as one of mourning; I have never quite been able to feel that half-masted flags were appropriate on Decoration (Memorial) Day. I have rather felt that the flag should be at the peak, because those whose dying we commemorate rejoiced in seeing it where their valor placed it. We honor them in a joyous, thankful, triumphant commemoration of what they did.

-Benjamin Harrison

Today is a day we celebrate being Americans and we honor those who have played a role in making us great. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to all of those who had a part in that.

In the meantime, I've got some loving to do on a certain good looking young soldier!

82 comments:

That must be such a mixed bag of emotions for you and your family. On the one hand, you must be so, so proud of him, but on the other hand, you must miss him terribly. I'll be thinking of your family for sure.

Oh, you are one proud mama! And rightly so! What handsome boys, -and, yeah, there's nothing like having your boys close. From the core of our very hearts, my family thanks you for your sacrifice and your son for his service! He is a blessing!

oh man! I can't even imagine how hard that would be :( I'm visitng you via sits! Happy Potluck Friday and congrats on being featured today!I'm your Newest follower :) It's great to meet you! I look forward to getting to know you better via blogging! Have a great weekend!

This was such a moving post. I'm actually tearing right now. I am so proud of your son and all our brave soldiers that fight for our freedom everyday! I'll pray for your son and I hope he knows how grateful we all are for his courage!Stopping by for your potluck day on SITS, Congrats!!

A good looking soldier, for sure! I can't imagine letting go of my guys for that long either. One of my good friends, who is older than I, has let go of both of her sons this past year -- one to Iraq, one to Afghanistan. I know it was difficult for her. One is back, and she's anticipating the other's return in a few months!

please pass our thanks and gratitude on to Matt. I can not even imagine how you are feeling right now, but i wanted to encourage you, by saying, he is the young man he is today, a man of courage, a man who loves this country, because of you. You raised him to be the man he is today. I know you must be so proud of him. Be proud of yourself also, you have raised what sounds to be an amazing young man.

Thank him for my family please.I grew up a military family. My dad served 30 years in the Marine Corps and all three of my brother enlisted as well. My third brother (the baby of the boys, and the fourth of all of us) went to Iraq during the beginning of the war for three of his four years. His fourth year was only a bag of months here and there where he was home.I hope you enjoy your two weeks, and then I pray you will be able to enjoy another two weeks upon his return. He is doing a wonderful thing, and you are being such a brave mom for watching him go and the fact that you are PROUD of him. I can't imagine how difficult it is.I will keep your son and your family in my thoughts.Stopping by from SITs :) I hope your two weeks are wonderful.

Congratulations on being featured today on SITS. I cannot begin to imagine first of all how it feels to be reunited with your son knowing all the while that he is about to go away to Iraq for such a long time.

I also loved the quote Bossy Betty posted. I hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and are enjoying these two precious weeks with your son.

Hi, I'm stopping by from SITS! I wanted to share a bit of comment lo♥e!

My daughter's best friend was just home for a brief 'vacation' between his final Marine training and his assignment to Camp Lejeune. He will probably deploy in July or August to Afghanistan. His mom and I are close friends and I can not imagine how she feels. God bless ALL the soldiers and their families for their amazing sacrifice!

Good looking young man! Alpha Hubby and I were just talking about how today's kids were not raised to honor much of anything... and then I read this - THANK YOU for restoring my belief in our young people!! He has taken on an awesome responsibility.

I love the quote from Bossy Betty! I am getting ready to send my hubby off to Basic and AIT training myself. There's peace that he won't be at war, but we will still miss him for eight months. You have a handsome young soldier! :)

Happy SITS day... I know what it is like to have a loved one being deployed... My brother had to leave his 3 young girls for Afghanistan a couple of years ago, and a week after his 3rd child was born, who was their only biological child to him and my sister in law. Your son will be in my thoughts and prayers, and if you ever need anyone to send him mail... Let me know! I would be more than willing to send him mail letting him know how much his service means to me and my family. :)

I don't think it should be legal to let young boys be in the military! Wait until age 21 at least!! They can't drink yet but they can die for our country?? How does that make sense?! Anyway, he looks so young! But that must make you feel so proud of him. I pray every day for the soldiers of our country.

You have such a handsome son! My ex and my current fiance have both been to Iraq, one for 8 months and the other for 12 months respectively. I know how hard it is but it's all about one day at a time. He'll be back before you know it. Much love to you and your family!

Awww! That's awesome. Prayers for you and your family. I can't imagine how tough it is. The students I work with deal with deployed parents all the time (I work in a military district) and I always marvel at their resiliency.

Hi, I'm stopping by from SITS. I want to say thank you to your son, wish him well, pray for his safety and hope he returns home sooner than you anticipate, safe and sound.Stay strong and focus on the good things.XOHeidi - Heart and Home

This post really touched me, mostly because I can relate. My sister is in Afghanistan and my brother is set to deploy there within a matter of days. It is such a mixed bag of emotions - sadness and fear but also hope, optimism, and pride. I am sending you and your family positive thoughts and best wishes during his deployment.

As I sit here and gaze at my 6 year old son, I can not imagine the courage it takes for you to let your baby go to war. Thank you to him and thank you to you too. YOu are both incredibly brave, and you are both giving something for the rest of us. I am awed. Truly. :)

Hey! Visiting from SITS. I feel for you. I know a Moms perspective is different, but my husband is overseas right now. He had his mid-tour just in time to see his daughter born, and departed again 1 week after she arrived. By the time he comes home again, she'll be 6 months old.